Adjustable overflow lip for sedimentation apparatus



Aug. 9, 1932.

J. A. BAKER Filed Oct; 17; 1929 A g 5 '55 Q II 1 C? H C9 1 O .1 44 51;

l; '1' 36 28 I i 40 a 45 A: l 22 INVENTOR Z6 r Patented Aug. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES aioess PATENT OFFICE JOHN A. BAKER, OF WES'IPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, ZB Y MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

THE DORE COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF D ELAWABE ADJUSTABLE OVERFLOW LIP .FOB SEDIMENTATION APPARATUS Application filed October 17, 1929. Serial No. 400,258.

This invention relates to a device for regulating and adjusting the height and inclina-. tion of the peripheral edge or overflow lip of a sedimentation tank wherein suspended coarse solids are settled and removed while the finer solids are discharged over the edge (if the overflow lip of the tank into the laun- The invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with sedimentation apparatus of the type disclosed in the patent to J. V. N. Dorr, No. 867,958, patented October 15, 1907, for a decanting apparatus and of the type disclosed in the patent to A. L.

Blomfield,-No. 1,292,237, patented January 21, 1919, and with similar sedimentation apparatus wherein sedimentation is effected by the settling of solids and the decantation of liquid into the overflow launder.

In'installing sedimentation apparatus of this type it'is important that the discharge of fluid together with the suspended solids contained therein be substantially uniform around the margin of the tank in order that an even overflow into the launder may be effected to preserve substantially equal distribution of fluid fed into the tank throughout the area of the same.

In the installation of large apparatus it is practically impossible to install the sedimentation tank with such accuracy that when completed the overflow launder is absolutely level. For example in large sedimentation tanks having diameters of 100 feet or more it very often happens that measurements after final construction will reveal the fact that the overflow lip is lower at one side than it is at the-other. Furthermore, even with accurate installation, it often happens that after installationby virtue of the great weight of the apparatus the sedimentation tank settles on its own foundation to an inclined position wherein one side of the overflow lip assumes a position below the otherapparatus with an increase in the cost of installation.

Under certain operating conditions, as for example in dredging operations where the sedimentation apparatus is mounted upon a floating barge, it frequently happens that the weight of the sedimentation apparatus being unevenly distributed on the barge imparts to' the same a decided listwith the result that after the apparatus is installed on the barge and ready for operation it is found that the sedimentation tank is tilted with the same result, namely, that the overflow lip is uneven thereby producing the condition outlined above. Previous methods of remedying this condition where the apparatus is installed on a floating barge have proven unsatisfactory as these methods involve either the leveling, of the apparatus on the barge or of leveling the barge with ballast or the like, the former of these methods being costly and the latter resulting in undue submergence of the barge. v

It is an object of the present invention to remedy any of the unsatisfactory conditions outlined above in a simple and effective manner without making costly ad'ustments to the apparatus or to its foundation whatever it may be.

ccordingly this invention contemplates the provision of an adjustable overflow lip' a flexible all around connection between the overflow lip and the margin of the tank to prevent egress of fluid into the discharge launder except over the adjustable lip forming a part of the tank. Provision is made for adjustably supporting the overflow lip above the margin of the tank at aplurality of different points whereby the same is universally adjustable to accommodate, tilting of the apparatus in an direction.

Rigidity construction, convenience of arrangement of parts and comparatively low expense of manufacture are further desirable features that have been borne in mind in the production and development of this invention.

With these and many other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a lan view (if the preferred form of the invention, and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view taken transversely through one edge of the sedimentation a paratus and showing the method of adj usta ly supporting the overflow lip.

In the above described views like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout, and the device involyes in its general organization a tank which is shown as being constructed of a suitable material such as sheet metal The tank is rovided with a wall 11 which {in this particuar instance is shown as being circular. A bottom 12 is provided, which bottom is preferably formed with slight slope towards a central opening 14 to facilitate moving of the settled solidsto a discharge. The central discharge opening 14 may communicate with a suitable sludge discharge pipe, or if desired may communicate with a lower compartment for classification or further treatment of the discharge material.

In the form illustrated the am; is circular in shape and the mechanism for moving settled solids to a discharge is of the rotary type adapted to circular tanks. However, it will be apparent that the invention is not restricted to this arrangement, since other types of mechanism, particularly those adapted for tanks non-circular in shape are known and may be employed if desired.

In the present form of the invention the mechanism, which is not shown in full, may be supported in any suitable manner and comprises a central shaft 16 extending to the bottom of the tank and'including rake arms 18 mounted on the central shaft and carrying takes 19. These rakes are inclined at an angle to the rake arms in the well known manner in order that the settled solids may be moved inwardly of the tank to the central discharge opening 14. I

The above mentioned parts are purely conventional in their design and no claim is laid to the novelty of the same, the invention residing rather in the novel construction and arrangement of the adjustable overflow lip 170 be more'fully described.

44 is mounted on each supporting bo Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the margin of the sedimentation tank is provided with an upstanding annular wall 20. This wall may be constructed in any suitable manner, but in the present instance it is shown as being in the form of a circular ring secured between the bottom 22 of the,

overflow launder 24 and the bottom 12 in any suitable manner as by means of rivets 26, to provide a watertight connection between these sections of the tank. Suspended above the wall in spaced relationship thereto, is a vertically ad ustable overflow lip member 28 having an upper edge or overflow lip 30 over which the li uid may flow into the launder 24. The adjusta le lip member is in the form of an annular angle iron 36 having a vertical flange 38 and a horizontal flange 40. Secured to the wall 20 and to the vertical flange 38 of the angle member is an annular canvas strip 41. This strip may be secured to the wall 20 and to the annular angle member in any suitable manner. In the present instance it is shown as being secured 'to these two elements by means of clam ing rings 42 and 43 respectively, which are holted to the respective surfaces of these members by means of thru bolts 46 to provide a watertight joint preventing liquid from passing into the launder except over the lip 30 as clearly shown in Fig. 1. v

The member 28 is supported at a plurality of equally spaced points around the periphery of the tank by brackets 50. These brackets are secured to the wall 11 of the tank by welding, bolting, riveting or the like and extend inwardly and are provided with twopart bearings 52 having clamping bolts 53 and through which are threaded sup'portin bolts 54. The lower end of these bolts extend through apertures in the horizontal wall of the annular member 36 and are provided with heads upon which the annular member is supported. A suitable retainin collar E; 54 as by pin 47 to prevent upward movement of the overflow lip at this point of support. The upper end of each supporting bolt is prefer ably squared as at to permit the insertion of a handle member 62 over the same for the purpose of raising or lowering the supporting bolt.

In the present instance the adjustable overfiow lip is shown as being supported at three equi-distant points around the circumference of the tank. This construction is deemed to be the most preferable one as it is the least expensive to manufacture, while at the same time universal adjustment of the overflow into the launder is permitted. It will be seen that by adjusting any one or two of the threaded supporting bolts the overflow lip may be accurately adjusted to conform to the level of the fluid in the tank. It is distinctly understood, however, that any number of supporting members may be provided on the periphery of the lip. However, provision of more than three supporting members consid erably complicates any adjustments that are made to the lip and in addition the increased expense of manufacture, except in certain cases, is a needless one. However, irrespective of these details of manufacture, the essential features of. the invention are always preserved.

I claim:

1. A decanting apparatus comprising a sedimentation tank, said tank being provided with a peripheral launder having a wall over which liquid is adapted to flow into the launderiia plurality of brackets supported on the tan inwardly, bolts movably mounted on said brackets and having depending heads and adjustable overflow lip assembly supported on said heads, said assembly including a flexible section forming a part of the wallof the launder.

2. A decanting apparatus comprising a sedimentation tank having a peripheral wall over which liquids are decanted, said wall comprising a lower rigid section and an upper rigid section providing an overflow lip, a flexible sectionconnecting said rigid sections and means engaging the upper rigid section for adjustably supporting the same 7 from the tank.

equal distribution of fluid fed to said settling tank. In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

JOHN A. BAKER.

in spaced relationship and extending 

